INLAND FORECAST: Fire Weather Watch issued for Wednesday, Thursday

A fire weather is watch in effect in the San Jacinto Mountains, including the San Bernardino National Forest's San Jacinto Ranger District, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2, because of very low humidity and moderate Santa Ana winds. This Smokey Bear fire danger warning sign is on Highway 74 across the highway from the U.S. Forest Service's Cranston Ranger Station.

Gusty winds Tuesday afternoon will herald an increasing fire danger through at least mid-week in the Inland area, according to the National Weather Service.

âRed Flag conditions â" winds gusting over 35 mph and relative humidity below 15 percent â" could be met as early as Wednesday morning for the San Bernardino County mountains and Inland Empire, and by Thursday morning for the remaining mountains and valleys of southwest California,â forecasters say in a Fire Weather Watch.

The statement is in effect from 5 a.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday.

âBy Thursday evening, the Santa Ana wind gusts should diminish to 25 mph or less, but very dry and warm conditions will continue through Friday,â forecasters caution.

Some of the highest temperatures are expected Friday, including 74 degrees in the mountain resort of Big Bear Lake and 98 degrees in Riverside â" just a degree cooler than Palm Springs.

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